Puerto Rican Rice and Beans

Name: Puerto Rican Rice and Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Latin American
Ingredients: 1 tbsp achiote oil or olive oil; 2 yellow onions, minced; 1 jalapeno pepper, minced (or bell pepper if you don’t like spice); 5 cloves garlic, minced; OR 4 heaping tbsp sofrito (see note); 30 oz. (2 cans) gandules (with the liquid); 1 cup tomato puree; ½ cup cilantro, minced; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 2 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp spanish oregano; 1 tsp cumin; 4 cups vegetable broth; 2 cups white rice (jasmine); 1 cup cherry tomatoes (for garnish); additional cilantro (for garnish)